Tinctures vs Capsules

Tinctures or capsules, what’s the best option for you? 

Let’s find out.

Tinctures and oils are very popular when it comes to CBD, it’s hard to find a company that doesn’t have one on their product page, unless they specialize in skin-care or an edible, most of them are labeled as tinctures through the industry, but some companies do still use the tincture extraction method versus the oil extraction. 

Tinctures differ from oils based on how the CBD is extracted from the hemp plant. When tinctures are made they use an alcohol based extraction method, causing the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids to be pulled from the plant and released into the alcohol. Other ingredients can be added to this process for flavoring or to produce other benefits, but tinctures can have a bitter taste from the ethanol, so adding flavoring or sweeteners is usually a part of the process to subdue that.

Oils use a different extraction method that uses CO2 to maintain quality, sustainability, and bioavailability. The CBD, terpenes, and flavonoids are still extracted, then they are often mixed with carrier oils, such as MCT oil, and flavorings. Other ingredients can also be a part of the CO2 extraction to produce more benefits as well. 

Tinctures/oils come in many different flavors nowadays, you can still find the natural or raw flavor but now there are flavors like citrus, lemon, orange, vanilla, fruity, peppermint, cinnamon, and many combinations like strawberry-banana or mint chocolate. This is a huge pro for tinctures, not everyone is a fan of the natural flavoring that CBD has, making capsules a game changer. 

Capsules can have the same extraction method as tinctures and oils, it’s then put in a convenient capsule or softgel for consumption. Tinctures and oils are absorbed through the blood supply under your tongue while capsules have to go through the digestive tract then they are absorbed through the liver. This does mean that capsules can take longer to absorb but they usually are absorbed within 30 minutes. Capsules are a very easy way to get your daily dose of CBD and it’s already measured so there is no wondering if you’re getting the correct amount, or when you’re going to run out. If you already take medications it’s very simple to throw the capsules or softgels in with your others, they are discreet, and very easy to travel with, without the worry of it leaking and getting all over something, or being wasted. Capsules are quicker to break down in the stomach, but can be difficult to swallow for some, whereas softgels are easier to swallow but can take the full 30 minutes to be absorbed. 

The really great thing about capsules, softgels, oils, and tinctures is that they all come in different varieties so there is bound to be a perfect match for everyone. Companies are now adding extra ingredients into their CBD capsules and tinctures to bring more relief to people, making it easier to find the perfect product. 

Brio Nutrition makes CBD capsules like Drift, containing melatonin to assist in sleeping, Lift, containing caffeine to assist with energy levels, and Happy Hour, containing milk thistle, N-Acetyl, and L-Cysteine to assist with liver function. They also make tinctures that are activated when they make contact with H2O, which is over half of our body, making them fast-acting and  very effective. 

Irwin Naturals is another company that makes a lot of different capsules to help “heal people with plant medicine”, as their founder says. They use Ashwagandha for balancing effects on the mind and body, Melatonin to assist with sleep, they even have a few products to assist with libido in men and women. 

With all these options available it is possible to find the best product for you, the variety is crazy, between the spectrums, the milligrams, flavors, and the other ingredients, it can be challenging to pick one, but as long as you know what you’re looking for it gets easier. Going into a CBD store or shopping online can be overwhelming, narrowing down your choices to what spectrum you need and how you prefer to consume it can be a huge help. 

From the last blog that went over the different spectrums and this one that covered the differences of capsules and tinctures, hopefully you can decide which product is right for you and what products you want to try!